Michelman Presents Sizing Solutions for Carbon Fibre

10 October 2017

Michelman will feature a number of new and improved Hydrosize fibre sizing solutions formulated for use with carbon fibre at GoCarbonFibre 2017 on 10-12 October in Munich, Germany.

Michelman's line of Hydrosize solutions includes Hydrosize HP-1632, a polyimide solution for high temperature thermoplastics. This sizing is designed to withstand extreme processing temperatures that many thermoplastics such as PEEK, PPS, PEI require. It is said to offer excellent thermal stability, adhesion properties, abrasion resistance and low creep. The company says it is ideal for use with carbon fibre.

“While carbon fibre is used primarily in thermoset resins, its use in thermoplastic resins is growing rapidly," reports Steve Bassetti, Global Marketing Director for the Industrial Manufacturing Group at Michelman. "Carbon fibre manufacturers realise their existing sizing solutions are not always the best for these types of resins. We help companies implement sizing solutions optimised for their evolving applications.”

Also featured will be Hydrosize Link, a polyurethane dispersion designed as fibre sizing for reinforced composites for automotive under-the-hood applications. The new sizing is available in two grades. Hydrosize Link U470 is for use with chopped strand fibre, while Hydrosize Link U480 is suitable for both chopped strand and continuous fibre.

Michelman has extended its polyamide dispersion portfolio with the addition of Hydrosize PA874, which is suitable for use with long fibre. It is used to optimise nylon composites and is reported to offer reliable performance in applications including electronics and engine parts, where composites are exposed to high temperatures.

The aircraft industry has forecast that over 35,000 new aircraft will be required within the next 20 years, meeting this kind of escalating demand calls for new approaches and new technologies, reports Victrex, and as a consequence thermoplastic composites are expected to play an increasingly important role in accelerating future aircraft construction.